Investigating Cryptocurrencies


Book Description

Investigate crimes involving cryptocurrencies and other blockchain technologies Bitcoin has traditionally been the payment system of choice for a criminal trading on the Dark Web, and now many other blockchain cryptocurrencies are entering the mainstream as traders are accepting them from low-end investors putting their money into the market. Worse still, the blockchain can even be used to hide information and covert messaging, unknown to most investigators. Investigating Cryptocurrencies is the first book to help corporate, law enforcement, and other investigators understand the technical concepts and the techniques for investigating crimes utilizing the blockchain and related digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Understand blockchain and transaction technologies Set up and run cryptocurrency accounts Build information about specific addresses Access raw data on blockchain ledgers Identify users of cryptocurrencies Extracting cryptocurrency data from live and imaged computers Following the money With nearly $150 billion in cryptocurrency circulating and $3 billion changing hands daily, crimes committed with or paid for with digital cash are a serious business. Luckily, Investigating Cryptocurrencies Forensics shows you how to detect it and, more importantly, stop it in its tracks.




Understanding Cryptocurrencies


Book Description

The book intends to provide a high level overview of cryptocurrencies to a new enthusiast by using layman language and limiting many of the technical aspects, providing a very condensed version of this vast development of digital currencies. Blockchain is the new revolution after the Internet that is going to change how we do business today. Cryptocurrencies are the money of the future. These two statements are a positive affirmation from many corners around the world. The author provides a balance of introduction and depth regarding blockchain, hot cryptocurrencies, and their comparisons. Bitcoin, being the pioneer, is discussed in greater detail. The reader will gain the basic idea of bitcoin mining, trading, and investing. With special interest in the various usages of blockchain and interest on traditional banking systems are also discussed.




There's No Such Thing as Crypto Crime


Book Description

Hands-on guidance for professionals investigating crimes that include cryptocurrency In There’s No Such Thing as Crypto Crime: An Investigators Guide, accomplished cybersecurity and forensics consultant Nick Furneaux delivers an expert discussion of the key methods used by cryptocurrency investigators, including investigations on Bitcoin and Ethereum type blockchains. The book explores the criminal opportunities available to malicious actors in the crypto universe, as well as the investigative principles common to this realm. The author explains in detail a variety of essential topics, including how cryptocurrency is used in crime, exploiting wallets, and investigative methodologies for the primary chains, as well as digging into important areas such as tracing through contracts, coin-swaps, layer 2 chains and bridges. He also provides engaging and informative presentations of: Strategies used by investigators around the world to seize the fruits of crypto-related crime How non-fungible tokens, new alt-currency tokens, and decentralized finance factor into cryptocurrency crime The application of common investigative principles—like discovery—to the world of cryptocurrency An essential and effective playbook for combating crypto-related financial crime, There’s No Such Thing as Crypto Crime will earn a place in the libraries of financial investigators, fraud and forensics professionals, and cybercrime specialists.




Attack of the 50 Foot Blockchain


Book Description

An experimental new Internet-based form of money is created that anyone can generate at home; people build frightening firetrap computers full of video cards, putting out so much heat that one operator is hospitalised with heatstroke and brain damage. A young physics student starts a revolutionary new marketplace immune to State coercion; he ends up ordering hits on people because they might threaten his great experiment, and is jailed for life without parole. Fully automated contractual systems are proposed to make business and the law work better; the contracts people actually write are unregulated penny stock offerings whose fine print literally states that you are buying nothing of any value. The biggest crowdfunding in history attracts $150 million on the promise that it will embody “the steadfast iron will of unstoppable code”; upon release it is immediately hacked, and $50 million is stolen. How did we get here? David Gerard covers the origins and history of Bitcoin to the present day, the other cryptocurrencies it spawned including Ethereum, the ICO craze and the 2017 crypto bubble, and the attempts to apply blockchains and smart contracts to business. Plus a case study on blockchains in the music industry. Bitcoin and blockchains are not a technology story, but a psychology story. Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. “A sober riposte to all the upbeat forecasts about cryptocurrency” — New York Review of Books “A very convincing takedown of the whole phenomenon” — BBC News




An Investigation Into Evidence (digital) Artefacts Resulting from the Use of Cryptocurrency Applications


Book Description

Is cash still king? With card payments now overtaking cash for the first time ever as reported in media 2017 (morning advertiser, Accessed 2019) coupled with the rise of 1000s of cryptocurrencies, does this mean that cash now takes a back seat? Electronic transference of currency from one bank account to another anywhere in the world is not new, and with the strict guidelines that the banking institutions adhere to these transactions can be tracked from source to destination. However, some national banks; and indeed, some of the Governments that regulate them are not trustworthy. Chaum (1982) proposed 'blind' cryptography which protects payees' anonymity from invasion. The founder of Mt Gox said to be the world's largest Bitcoin exchange at the time; was charged and later convicted of instigating a drug auction site called 'Silk Road', selling illicit drugs on-line for payment to be made in Bitcoin only (Scannell, 2015). Criminals commit their crimes for profit therefore the digital currency is a perfect place for criminals to hide their financial affairs. Payments being made as a result of money laundering, blackmail, extortion or tax evasion, can be moved seamlessly to anywhere in the world with few or no records tying an individual to 'monies'. A digital wallet is used as an interface to your cryptocurrency, where you store and commit transactions. Creating a digital wallet can be done anonymously and does not need 'linking' to any financial institutions. A digital wallet allows purchasing of goods and services anywhere in the world anonymously by using your digital wallets address. After downloading a digital wallets executable program, it needs to be installed on the device being used. Part of this process entails producing a unique digital key or commonly known as a wallet's address. Currently Microsoft Windows could be classed as the de facto operating system worldwide, with Windows 10 being the latest version. Most owners are all too familiar with installing and uninstalling programs. Once an application has been uninstalled can analysis identify any evidence (digital) artefacts left on the host computer?




Cryptoassets: The Innovative Investor's Guide to Bitcoin and Beyond


Book Description

The innovative investor’s guide to an entirely new asset class—from two experts on the cutting edge With the rise of bitcoin and blockchain technology, investors can capitalize on the greatest investment opportunity since the Internet. Bitcoin was the first cryptoasset, but today there are over 800 and counting, including ether, ripple, litecoin, monero, and more. This clear, concise, and accessible guide from two industry insiders shows you how to navigate this brave new blockchain world—and how to invest in these emerging assets to secure your financial future. Cryptoassets gives you all the tools you need: * An actionable framework for investigating and valuing cryptoassets * Portfolio management techniques to maximize returns while managing risk * Historical context and tips to navigate inevitable bubbles and manias * Practical guides to exchanges, wallets, capital market vehicles, and ICOs * Predictions on how blockchain technology may disrupt current portfolios In addition to offering smart investment strategies, this authoritative resource will help you understand how these assets were created, how they work, and how they are evolving amid the blockchain revolution. The authors define a clear and original cryptoasset taxonomy, composed of cryptocurrencies, cryptocommodities, and cryptotokens, with insights into how each subset is blending technology and markets. You’ll find a variety of methods to invest in these assets, whether through global exchanges trading 24/7 or initial cryptoasset offerings (ICOs). By sequentially building on the concepts of each prior chapter, the book will provide you with a full understanding of the cryptoasset economy and the opportunities that await the innovative investor. Cryptoassets represent the future of money and markets. This book is your guide to that future.




Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies


Book Description

An authoritative introduction to the exciting new technologies of digital money Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies provides a comprehensive introduction to the revolutionary yet often misunderstood new technologies of digital currency. Whether you are a student, software developer, tech entrepreneur, or researcher in computer science, this authoritative and self-contained book tells you everything you need to know about the new global money for the Internet age. How do Bitcoin and its block chain actually work? How secure are your bitcoins? How anonymous are their users? Can cryptocurrencies be regulated? These are some of the many questions this book answers. It begins by tracing the history and development of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, and then gives the conceptual and practical foundations you need to engineer secure software that interacts with the Bitcoin network as well as to integrate ideas from Bitcoin into your own projects. Topics include decentralization, mining, the politics of Bitcoin, altcoins and the cryptocurrency ecosystem, the future of Bitcoin, and more. An essential introduction to the new technologies of digital currency Covers the history and mechanics of Bitcoin and the block chain, security, decentralization, anonymity, politics and regulation, altcoins, and much more Features an accompanying website that includes instructional videos for each chapter, homework problems, programming assignments, and lecture slides Also suitable for use with the authors' Coursera online course Electronic solutions manual (available only to professors)




Ethereum For Dummies


Book Description

Dive into a secure future Professionals look to Ethereum as a blockchain-based platform to develop safe applications and conduct secure transactions. It takes a knowledgeable guiding hand to understand how Ethereum works and what it does — and Ethereum For Dummies provides that guidance. Written by one of the leading voices in the blockchain community and best selling author of Blockchain For Dummies, this book demystifies the workings of Ethereum and shows how it can enhance security, transactions, and investments. As an emerging application of blockchain technology, Ethereum attracts a wide swath of professionals ranging from financial pros who see it as a way to enhance their business, security analysts who want to conduct secure transactions, programmers who build apps that employ the Ethereum blockchain, or investors interested in cashing in on the rise of cryptocurrency. Ethereum For Dummies offers a starting point to all members of this audience as it provides easy-to-understand explanation of the tools and techniques of using Ethereum. Understand the fundamentals of Ethereum Build smart contracts Create decentralized applications Examine public and private chains If you need to get a grip on one of the biggest applications of blockchain technology, this book makes it easier.




Blockchain Bubble Or Revolution


Book Description

Some experts say that cryptocurrencies and blockchains are just a scam; others say they're "the most important invention since the internet." It's hard to tell who's right. Authored by Product Managers from Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, Bubble or Revolution cuts through the hype to offer a balanced, comprehensive, and accessible analysis of blockchains and cryptocurrencies. You'll learn the core concepts of these technologies and understand their strengths and weaknesses from real-world case studies; dive deep into their technical, economic, political, and legal complexities; and gain insights about their future from exclusive interviews with dozens of tech industry leaders. No coding or math needed! Are cryptocurrencies and blockchains a bubble or a revolution? We'll help you decide for yourself. What's inside: Bitcoin and the blockchain How Bitcoin and blockchains work from a technical perspective with no assumed technical knowledge Satoshi Nakamoto and the history of Bitcoin, the original blockchain A thorough overview of crucial crypto concepts (eg. blocks, keys, mining, nodes, etc.) Frameworks for understanding when it actually makes sense to use blockchain Major application scenarios for blockchain and cryptocurrencies and where it'll fall flat Public blockchains and altcoins Emerging trends in blockchain technology What you should know before buying any cryptocurrency An overview of Etherum and smart contracts An overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the top altcoins and stable coins, including Monero (XMR), Tether (USDT), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Alternatives to blockchain and cryptocurrencies New kinds of decentralized ledger technology (dlt) The economics of both traditional payment methods and cryptocurrencies Cryptocurrency security best practices and major breach case studies Private blockchains How blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and traditional banking and finance will interact with one another in the future Public blockchains vs private blockchains Limitations and shortcomings of public blockchains and cryptocurrencies The role of blockchain in the strategy of top tech companies like Facebook and Microsoft Case studies of how non-tech companies are effectively utilizing blockchain (eg. Walmart using it to prevent foodborne illness) Business blockchain case studies ranging from gaming (e.g. Xbox) to cloud services (e.g. Microsoft Azure's blockchain-as-a-service and Amazon's AWS offering) Blockchain's use for big data, internet of things (IoT), and machine learning (ML) Cryptocurrency regulation and policy ICOs vs STOs vs IPOs ICOs' status as securities The SEC's STO rules and Reg A+/CF/D/S KYC and AML laws The debate over whether cryptocurrencies are securities The official stance of various countries on crypto An overview of crypto policy and regulatory hurdles The role of crypto in emerging markets and China Digital democracy and voting on the blockchain The future of decentralized technology If, how, and when the tokenization of national currencies will play out Facebook and WhatsApp's upcoming cryptocurrencies Currency tokenization and China's efforts to tokenize the yuan Blockchain, IoT, and the tangle Cryptocurrencies vs. fiat vs. the gold standard Predictions about the future of money, business, and currency Why blockchains would do better on Mars than Earth




Financial Technology and the Law


Book Description

Blockchains and cryptocurrencies, open banking, virtual assets, and artificial intelligence have become the buzzword of this decade. This book focuses on these ‘disruptive’ financial technologies that provide alternatives to the traditional financial services typically offered by regulated financial institutions. Financial technologies are characterized by the innovative ways in which they initiate, support or extend traditional financial services or offer alternative financial pathways and products. However, these financial technologies also pose money laundering and terrorist and proliferation financing as well as cyber security risks that require mitigation. This edited volume addresses a range of regulatory and enforcement challenges related to financial technology and financial crime. The book responds to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, in particular in relation to economic development, employment, national security, law enforcement and social well-being. Fostering responsible financial innovation promotes long-term economic growth, inclusion, and improved living standards. This book explores how to promote financial innovation while mitigating risks in a way that ensures financial prosperity and social inclusion.